“Clemson Tigers: you gave America an incredible game that will go down in the record books as one of the hardest-fought, and probably one of the most exciting games ever played,” President Trump said. “All of you played with such tremendous heart and determination. You never gave up and it all paid off.”

The president specifically pointed out quarterback Deshaun Watson, a recent first-round pick of the Houston Texans, shook his hand and told him he is going to be a great NFL player. President Trump also called up wideout Hunter Renfrow, who caught the game-winning touchdown from Watson (“Hunter, you’re so lucky you caught that ball,” the president joked), along with star defensive players Ben Boulware (now with the Carolina Panthers) and Carlos Watkins (also with the Texans).

President Donald Trump holds up a jersey given to by head coach Dado Swinney as he welcomes the 2016 NCAA Football National Champions Clemson University Tigers, Monday, June 12, 2017, during a ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington. (AP)